Christ-Centered Purpose of the Ascetical Life

 

2.2 Christ-Centered Purpose of the Ascetical Life

Opening Reflection

When the Orthodox Fathers turned away from the world, they didn’t rely on their own thoughts or feelings to guide them. Instead, they chose to follow the path of obedience (መታዘዝ)—freely entrusting their will to a spiritual father who could guide them with wisdom.

 

For them, obedience was not something heavy or oppressive. It was the beginning of true freedom.

“Obedience is the tomb of the will and the resurrection of humility.” “መታዘዝ ለስጋ ፈቃድ መቃብር፣ ለትሕትና ግን ትንሣኤዋ ነው።”— St. John Climacus

Today, many people are taught to focus on personal freedom and self-expression. But the ascetical life invites us to something deeper: abandoning our ego, our pride, and our need to control—so we can grow in love, humility, and truth.

The goal of this path is not to “achieve” something great for ourselves, but to become more like Christ—to have His heart, His love, and His humility formed in us. Every act of self-denial is meant to draw us closer to God, not distance us from Him.

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1. What Is Obedience in Orthodox Spiritual Life?

In Orthodox spirituality, obedience (hypakoē, in Greek) is not an act of control, but a loving trust in God's will, discerned through a spiritual father or mother.

🔻 It is not:

• Blind submission
• Fear-based conformity

✅ It is:

• Humble attentiveness
• A conscious act of trust in the presence of Christ within the elder

“Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” “ምንም ልጅ ቢሆን፥ ከተቀበለው መከራ መታዘዝን ተማረ፤”— Hebrews 5:8

If Christ Himself walked the path of obedience, how much more must we?

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2. The Role of the Spiritual Father (Abba)

A desert spiritual father, in the era of the early Church, was one who has walked the narrow path of repentance and grace. He is not only a teacher but a living icon of Christ—formed by struggle, silence, and the Holy Spirit.

“A monk must obey his spiritual father as if he were God Himself.”— St. Pachomius the Great

A spiritual father:

•  Listens deeply without judgment
•  Offers holy discernment (Judgement)
• Protects the soul from delusion (false belief)
•  Encourages slow, lasting spiritual growth

“He who has a guide is not in danger.”— St. Barsanuphius of Gaza

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3.  How Did the Fathers Practice Obedience?

a. Immediate and Exact Obedience
They responded to their elders without delay, trusting that obedience itself was a blessing.

A young monk was told to water a dry stick daily. After three years, it miraculously bloomed.

b. Confession of Thoughts
They confessed not just sins, but every thought. This exposed the darkness and allowed the light of Christ to enter.

c. Dying to Self-Will
They renounced their own opinions and feelings, not out of fear, but to destroy pride at the root.

“The man who submits his will to another is delivered from confusion and finds God.”— St. Dorotheos of Gaza

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4. Obedience as the Door to True Freedom

Modern minds equate obedience with oppression. But in Orthodox asceticism, obedience liberates:

• From slavery to the passions
• From confusion and delusion
• From ego and self-will

“By one man’s disobedience, many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous.” “በአንዱ ሰው አለመታዘዝ ብዙዎች ኃጢአተኞች እንደ ሆኑ፥ እንዲሁ ደግሞ በአንዱ መታዘዝ ብዙዎች ጻድቃን ይሆናሉ።— Romans 5:19

Christ redeemed the world through obedience. We are transformed by walking in His footsteps.

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5. Modern Application of Obedience and Spiritual Fatherhood

You don’t need to be in a monastery to live this wisdom:

✅ Seek a spiritual father — a wise, humble, and prayerful Orthodox priest or elder. You should choose a spiritual father with care. If you notice anything that contradicts your spiritual life, you should immediately inform the Church administration and take appropriate action.

✅ Practice obedience in daily life — in your home, workplace, and Church.
✅ Confess thoughts regularly — not just actions, but inner movements.
✅ Pray with submission — “Not my will, but Yours be done” “…ነገር ግን የእኔ ፈቃድ አይሁን የአንተ እንጂ እያለ ይጸልይ ነበር።” (Luke 22:42).

This is where asceticism begins: not in the desert, but in the heart.

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6. Dangers of Disobedience and Isolation

Without obedience, the soul drifts into:

• Spiritual pride — “I don’t need guidance.”
•  Delusion — Mistaking one’s own thoughts (false beliefs) for divine inspiration.
• Despair (ተስፋ መቁረጥ) — When we face battles alone.

Even the greatest saints humbled themselves:

“Woe to the monk who lives alone and has no guide (ወዮለት). He falls like a leaf from the tree.”— Desert Saying

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Conclusion: The Mystery of Obedience

The Orthodox Fathers succeeded in their ascetical lives because they embraced the cross of obedience. They understood:

💀 Obedience is the death of the ego (ራስ ወዳድነት)
🌄 …and the birth of Christ within

Their trust in spiritual guidance preserved them from error, sustained them through suffering, and brought them to Theosis.

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💭 Reflection Questions

• Do I resist advice or correction? Why?
• Is there someone I trust to speak God’s truth into my life?
• What’s one area in my life where I need to surrender my will today?

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May this sacred wisdom guide you deeper into the mystery of obedience—the path walked by the saints, and opened by Christ Himself.